Lafayette Reporter

Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) have introduced the AI Labeling Act in an effort to protect Americans from scams involving artificial intelligence (AI). The proposed legislation aims to ensure that individuals are aware when they are interacting with content generated by AI.

Kennedy emphasized the need for clarity in the rapidly evolving field of AI, stating, "AI is moving quickly, and so are the scammers who are using it to exploit unsuspecting Americans. Our bill would set an AI-based standard to protect U.S. consumers by telling them whether what they’re reading, seeing or hearing is the product of AI, and that’s clarity that people desperately need."

Similarly, Schatz highlighted the importance of transparency in online content, stating, "People deserve to know whether or not the videos, photos, and content they see and read online is real or not. Our bill is simple—if any content is made by artificial intelligence, it should be labeled so that people are aware and aren’t fooled or scammed."

The rise of AI technology has made it increasingly challenging for individuals to discern whether the content they encounter is generated by humans or machines. Exploiting this ambiguity, scammers have been using AI systems to create deceptive messages and fake images, thus manipulating and defrauding consumers.

The AI Labeling Act specifically targets text messages, audio content, and video content that is generated by AI. The proposed legislation includes several key provisions:

1. Developers of generative AI systems would be required to include a clear and conspicuous disclosure identifying AI-generated content. This would enable consumers to make informed decisions about the authenticity of the content they encounter.

2. Developers and third-party licensees would be obligated to take reasonable steps to prevent the systematic publication of content without proper disclosures. This provision aims to ensure that AI-generated content is not disseminated without appropriate labeling.

3. The establishment of a working group comprising government representatives, AI developers, academia, and social media platforms. This group would collaborate to identify best practices for consistently identifying AI-generated content and determining the most effective means of disclosing such content to consumers.

The AI Labeling Act represents a proactive step towards safeguarding consumers from AI-based scams and deception. By promoting transparency and awareness, the legislation aims to empower individuals to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and security.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/public/press-releases?ID=457EBFA5-33BF-41B3-B841-DDBF136FCE7F